PATERSON — One boy said painting helped calm his fears over recent school shootings around the country. Another student has used art to adjust to life in a new country. A third has managed to overcome some of his shyness through painting.

The youngsters recently gathered at the Paterson Museum for an opening reception highlighting a month-long exhibition of art created by city students.

The display, which features more than 200 works by students from Paterson, represents something of a renaissance for the city. Budget cuts had decimated art and music programs in Paterson’s elementary schools in 2010. Since then, the city district has slowly struggled to restore those courses.

Paterson’s acting schools superintendent, Eileen Shafer, spoke of the obstacles overcome by the students whose work was exhibited.

“Over the years, not every student and every school has had all the art supplies needed,” Shafer said. “I am so proud of you for the great job you’ve done.”

Fourth-grader Mohammed Labib Rahman from School 5 said painting provided a calming effect for him. “I feel a little bit afraid that it could happen at my school,” he said of the tragic shootings at schools in other parts of America. “We’ve had fire drills and active-shooter drills. I feel better when I’m painting, because my friends like when I give them my drawings.”

Mohammed called his painting “Every Moment.”

The youth talked of his goal of treasuring everyday experiences.

“We don’t want to miss anything,” he said.

Meanwhile, 9-year-old Rose Abreu said she was inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo de Rivera’s life story and chose to do a portrait of her.

Paterson student artists and family members gather with acting Schools Superintendent Eileen Shafer (rear row, third from right) at a recent reception at the Paterson Museum.(Photo: Ed Rumley/Paterson Press)

“She was a painter. She also was handicapped from being in a bus accident,” Rose said of Kahlo.

Rose is new to Paterson. She said she moved to the United States less than two years ago from the city of Moca in the Dominican Republic. “When I came, I didn’t know any English at all,” she said.

Rose said that although she misses her home country, she likes living in Paterson. “I really miss my grandparents,” Rose said. “But I have made many new friends at my new school. I only live a few blocks from there. I feel safe. My mom and dad work hard to provide for me.”

One of the most talented artists in the exhibit was sixth-grader Marquise Green from School 24. Marquise’s teachers say the soft-spoken boy often express himself through his paintings.

Marquise finds inspiration in classic art from the Renaissance period. “My work took several hours a day for two weeks to complete,” Marquise said.

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